Winslow’s BBQ Closing Its Doors Next Month After 46 Years In The River Market

Winslow’s BBQ, a City Market institution that traces its roots to the “roaring” River Quay days in 1971, is going out of business next month.

The barbecue joint and its 300-seat outdoor patio overlooking the City Market vendors has been a familiar fixture for generations, but that will all end Oct. 15, according to Deb Churchill, vice president and property manager for KC Commercial Realty Group which manages the market for the city.

“Their lease is not being renewed,” she said. “The owner and the City Market are on the same page. He’s moving on to other opportunities.”

Attempts to reach owner Gerry Heldrich, who bought the business from the Winslow family in 2009, were unsuccessful. An employee answering the phone at Winslow’s declined to comment.

Dave Winslow, who bought the business after his brother Don Winslow Jr. died in 1994, said the closing is the end of an era. The restaurant dates its history back to the previous reincarnation of the historic district when it was known as the River Quay.

Winslow said the place was opened by John Mulvihill and was then called the City Market Barbecue.

“Through the roaring times of the River Quay, I remember going down certain nights with as many as 10,000 people,” Winslow recalled. “As all that devolved in the late 70s, so did the business.”

In about 1981, Don Winslow with the support of his parents bought the restaurant and it became Winslow’s. Dave was living in Dallas and returned to take over the place after his brother died suddenly.

He made his mark not only running the restaurant, but becoming deeply engaged in the revitalization of the River Market area, serving as president of the merchant’s association twice and helping create a tax-increment financing district that further improved the neighborhood while serving on the TIF Commission.

“I believe Winslow’s BBQ through all those activities has been a stabilizing force and positive force for change,” Winslow said. “We worked hard to push for accountability there for development activity.”

After selling the restaurant to Heldrich, Winslow said the quality declined.

“Its closing is sad certainly for us and loss for the city, but it’s never been the same since I sold it,” he said. “It didn’t have the consistency as it did when the family owned it.”

Churchill said several interested prospective tenants have been in discussions with her firm for the 2,300 square-foot space and referred inquiries to Justin Cottrell of KC Commercial Realty.